A messy blend of winter weather knocked out power for thousands and slowed down commutes Thursday in parts of southern Quebec.
The heavy freezing rain led to power outages in the Montérégie region, just southwest of Montreal. The area accounted for the majority of the more than 17,000 clients without electricity as of 12:30 p.m. in the province.
Montreal and the surrounding areas were under a freezing rain warning as they were pounded by icy precipitation overnight Wednesday and into the morning.
Environment Canada advised people to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improved. Sidewalks and roads, along with other surfaces, were coated with ice and snow.
Colleen Banton was one of the motorists outside in the morning, chipping away at the ice and snow covering her car’s windshield. She was optimistic, saying she hoped it would only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete the job.
“‘I should probably go back to bed’ was my reaction but here I am outside in the cold,” she said.
The City of Montreal’s crews were out and about to tackle the icy accretion, but had to first focus on major thoroughfares. A spokesperson said workers will keep at it until the work is done.
“The sidewalks are not in a good state; they could be slippery. We are aware of the situation,” Philippe Sabourin said.
The public transit authority for the city also advised Montrealers to give themselves extra time when planning on taking the bus.
Meanwhile, other areas were hit with a snowfall. Quebec provincial police also warned road conditions could be difficult in some areas as a result.
“If you have to hit the road, be careful and adjust your driving speed,” police wrote on social media shortly after 9 a.m.
— with files from Global’s Brayden Jagger Haines and The Canadian Press
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